Ben Platt calls out protesters of Broadway musical 'Parade' for spewing 'antisemitic rhetoric'

Ben Platt addressed "antisemitic" protests occurring outside the Broadway musical "Parade," saying they underscored the importance of the revival.

The musical tells the story of Leo Frank, a Jewish man who was convicted of the rape and murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan in 1913 amid a rise in antisemitic fervor in Georgia. He was lynched in 1915 after being kidnapped during a prison transfer. Frank's fight to prove his innocence continues posthumously after the Fulton County District Attorney in Georgia reopened the investigation in 2019 in the hopes of exonerating him.

Several people held signs and harassed patrons outside of the theater, calling Frank a "pedophile," video from social media shows.

Platt, who stars in the lead role as Frank, said in an Instagram video Tuesday that the first preview show was "so wonderful and special," but overshadowed by the protestors.

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"For those who don't know, there were a few neo-Nazi protesters from a really disgusting group outside of the theater, bothering some of our patrons on their way in and saying antisemitic things about Leo Frank, who the show is about, and just spreading antisemitic rhetoric that led to this whole story in the first place," the Tony Award-winning actor said.

He continued: "If you don't know about it, I encourage you to look up the story and most importantly encourage you to come see the show, and it was definitely very ugly and scary but a wonderful reminder of why we're telling this particular story and how special and powerful art and, particularly, theater can be. And just made me feel extra, extra grateful to be the one who gets to tell this particular story and to carry on this legacy of Leo."

Platt went on to thank the theater employees for keeping the audience and cast "super safe and secure" amid the protests.

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The producers of "Parade" shared a statement Tuesday in support of "the valiant Broadway cast that brings this vital story to life each night."

"If there is any remaining doubt out there about the urgency of telling this story in this moment in history, the vileness on display last night should put it to rest," producers said.

In a statement Wednesday, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt called the protests "vile antisemitism," adding, "ADL locks arms in solidarity with the entire cast and wants to especially thank the producers of the play and Ben Platt for their poignant statements speaking out in the face of hate."

"The irony should not be lost on anyone that these antisemitic extremists decided to protest a play that details the true story of the lynching of an innocent Jewish man by an antisemitic mob, and used it as an opportunity to spread conspiracy theories and hate," Greenblatt continued.

Greenblatt concluded: "Despite the presence of a half-dozen neo-Nazis, New York City will continue to remain no place for hate."

"Parade" officially opens on March 16 and will run on Broadway until Aug. 6. The original production debuted on Broadway in 1998 and ended in 1999.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ben Platt, ADL denounce antisemitic protests over Broadway's 'Parade'